Tele-Medicine vs. Tele-Behavioral Health
Tele-medicine and tele-behavioral health have become prevalent terms in society’s everyday life, but what do they mean? The demand for virtual health care options has risen exponentially in recent years, and many of us don’t know the difference between these two terms. In my personal experience, I used to glaze over these terms simply because ‘I had an idea of what they meant.’ However, knowing what they are has proven to be of value because I can make educated decisions about my family’s and my necessary care.
Tele-Medicine: “Medical care provided remotely to a patient in a separate location using two-way voice and visual communication (as by computer or cell phone)” (Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary)
Tele-Behavioral Health: The process of providing behavioral therapy or psychotherapy remotely, utilizing video conferencing or text-based messaging
Essentially, tele-behavioral health is a sub-category of the broader tele-medicine scope. It focuses more directly on behavioral health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD to name a few. The National Institute of Mental Health reports, “In 2019, there were an estimated 51.5 million adults aged 18 or older in the United States with AMI (a mental illness). This number represented 20.6% of all U.S. adults” (National Institute of Mental Health). I have tried my best to help my friends with their mental health challenges – but sometimes a friend’s loving advice just isn’t enough.
As a result, the importance of tele-behavioral health has grown with the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges and substance use disorders around the world. This form of healthcare can be accessed by anyone to provide them with the critical help they need.
At Apportis, we provide a HIPPA-certified tele-behavioral health platform to communities in need. Our software removes barriers to connect counselors, case managers, caregivers, and clinicians to those in need, and it provides that community with resources to thrive. Anyone can receive behavioral health advice through the Apportis software without the need of Wi-Fi. This means that we can assist those in urban, rural, and even homeless communities for their behavioral health needs.
We encourage everyone to learn more about tele-medicine and tele-behavioral health because we understand that everyone lives with their own challenges. You can read more blogs about the previously mentioned topics, in addition to various other health-related subjects, on our website Apportis.com under the “BLOG” tab. We would love to assist you with your behavioral health needs, so please contact us with any inquires and questions you may have. We can make an impact together in tele-behavioral healthcare!
National Institute of Mental Health. “Mental Illness.” National Institute of Mental Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Jan. 2021, www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness.shtml.
“Telemedicine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telemedicine. Accessed 31 Jan. 2021.
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